Baron Herbert’s return from the Crusades should have been a joyous occasion. Instead, he grows increasingly morose, withdraws from his family, and refuses to share his wife’s bed. When his sons begin to die in strange accidents, some ask whether Herbert harbors a dark sin for which God has cursed him. Perhaps there is a malign presence at this storm-blasted castle, oddly named Doux et Dur.
The baron suddenly sends for Sir Hugh of Wynethorpe, begging his friend to bring spiritual and secular healers but giving little explanation for the request. Worried about Herbert’s descent into melancholy and the tragic deaths, Sir Hugh persuades his sister, Prioress Eleanor of Tyndal Priory, to accompany him as well as a respected physician, Master Gamel. Although he is pleased when the prioress brings her healer, Sister Anne, he is dismayed to find Brother Thomas included, a man he has reason to despise. Tensions spark among family members and soon between those who came to help. And as Death’s scythe harvests more victims, and it is not long before Ecclesiastes’ grim words seem all too apt. But is there not also a time to heal?
This is another in Priscilla Royal’s acclaimed Medieval Mystery series.
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“A spooky setup worthy of John Dickson Carr highlights Royal’s brilliant eighth mystery set in thirteenth-century England…While the murderer’s identity may surprise few, the rich atmosphere and well-drawn characters make this a superior historical.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)
" No question here as to the killer or the reason for the murders. Seemed a bit perfunctory. "
— Deb, 10/4/2013" It was an okay book. I was definitely intrigued by the mystery, but things got a little slow and blah for me at times. "
— Cher, 10/22/2011Priscilla Royal grew up in British Columbia, earned a degree in world literature from San Francisco State University, and worked for the federal government in various positions. She is the author of the Medieval Mystery series featuring Eleanor, prioress of Tyndal, and she is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, California Writers Club, and Sisters in Crime.
Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.